Recommendation six – career pathways

Our work will focus on developing proposals for enhanced social care career pathways and progression, specifically in the context of the developing multidisciplinary, integrated workforce environment.

Key actions

We are developing a resource which shows the diverse range of career opportunities available and highlights the potential for a long term career in social care.

We will identify potential barriers to career pathways and progression to consider ways to improve entry routes and support career progression in the workforce in the future.

Work closely with NHS Education for Scotland (NES) to deliver the recommendations on widening access in nursing and midwifery.

Recommendation seven – training and education

Our work will focus on training and education proposals to better equip a flexible, confident and competent workforce with relevant and appropriate qualifications

Key actions

We are developing a professional framework for social work practice, including advanced practice.

We will develop a framework for social care practice.

We will work closely with key partners, including Skills Development Scotland (SDS), NHS Education for Scotland (NES) and those in the sector, to deliver this programme of work.

We will also support and engage with partners in the Care Inspectorate, Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) on the delivery of other recommendations in the plan, specifically developing workforce planning tools and a labour market analysis.

Background

Parts one and two of the National Workforce Plan for Health and Social Care, which focuses on NHS Scotland and the social care workforce in Scotland was published last year and the final part, focusing on primary care was published in May 2018 . A fully integrated workforce plan will follow later this year.

The Scottish Government and the Convention of Scottish Local Authorities (COSLA) jointly developed and published Part two of the plan focusing on social care. It sets out current and future workforce challenges and identifies several initial recommendations for actions.